Players signing full-time franchise deals 'are coming' and 'it's no surprise', says Ravi Bopara
An article in The Times this week reported that six English players had been approached about the one-year contracts, worth up to £5m.
IPL franchises have teams in India, West Indies, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and a US-based league.
"It doesn't surprise me," Bopara told the BBC Test Match Special podcast.
"This is a real thing for players to start thinking about.
"If they offer long-term contracts, I'm talking about three, four or five years, then that's a serious topic to start thinking about as a player."
The IPL usually takes place between March and May, with the SA20 Inaugural League and the T20 International League in the United Arab Emirates overlapping in January this year .
The CPL in the West Indies is scheduled to take place from August 16 to September 24 this year, the first edition of with the Major Cricket League scheduled for July 13-30.
Seven of the 10 IPL franchises currently have teams in different leagues, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians represented in four leagues, meaning players can fill their year with franchise commitments.
England central contracts are currently awarded to red-ball and white-ball players based on the likelihood of often, they will feature over the next 12 months, while acknowledging performance over the past year.
Then there are increment contracts for single format players or players close to breaking into the team.
"It was happening," said Bopara, who played 24 IPL matches between 2009 and 2015.
"There was a conversation on the county circuit and around cricket that this was always going to happen.
"If you are one of those players heading towards the end of your career in England, if you've had a good one, and you're thinking 'hmmm, maybe I only have two or three years left in England', you might be thinking 'actually that's a better option for me '.
"If you start your career in England, it's a serious dilemma. There is no guaranteed you will play for five or 10 years for England.
"At least with this contract there is has guarantees. It's going to be the hardest thing."
Bopara, who played 13 tests and 158 balls white games for England, explained how he once turned down an injury replacement deal with the Mumbai Indians because national manager Graham Gooch and head coach Andy Flower told him he wouldn't be considered...
An article in The Times this week reported that six English players had been approached about the one-year contracts, worth up to £5m.
IPL franchises have teams in India, West Indies, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and a US-based league.
"It doesn't surprise me," Bopara told the BBC Test Match Special podcast.
"This is a real thing for players to start thinking about.
"If they offer long-term contracts, I'm talking about three, four or five years, then that's a serious topic to start thinking about as a player."
The IPL usually takes place between March and May, with the SA20 Inaugural League and the T20 International League in the United Arab Emirates overlapping in January this year .
The CPL in the West Indies is scheduled to take place from August 16 to September 24 this year, the first edition of with the Major Cricket League scheduled for July 13-30.
Seven of the 10 IPL franchises currently have teams in different leagues, with Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians represented in four leagues, meaning players can fill their year with franchise commitments.
England central contracts are currently awarded to red-ball and white-ball players based on the likelihood of often, they will feature over the next 12 months, while acknowledging performance over the past year.
Then there are increment contracts for single format players or players close to breaking into the team.
"It was happening," said Bopara, who played 24 IPL matches between 2009 and 2015.
"There was a conversation on the county circuit and around cricket that this was always going to happen.
"If you are one of those players heading towards the end of your career in England, if you've had a good one, and you're thinking 'hmmm, maybe I only have two or three years left in England', you might be thinking 'actually that's a better option for me '.
"If you start your career in England, it's a serious dilemma. There is no guaranteed you will play for five or 10 years for England.
"At least with this contract there is has guarantees. It's going to be the hardest thing."
Bopara, who played 13 tests and 158 balls white games for England, explained how he once turned down an injury replacement deal with the Mumbai Indians because national manager Graham Gooch and head coach Andy Flower told him he wouldn't be considered...
What's Your Reaction?
